David Owusu-Amoah
1 July 2008
opinion
Imagine a world filled with people with the same ideology, culture, religion, beliefs occupation etc. Imagine a world where everybody spoke the same language, had the same philosophy, ate the same food, put on the same clothes among others. Oh! what a narrow and uninteresting world it would have been.
Diversity makes the world a rich place where each and everyone has a unique role to play to build the human race. Take a look at the fingers of your hand for a moment.
They are not the same yet, each has an important role to play to ensure the efficient use of the whole hand. It is indeed a grievous mistake for that matter to look down upon anybody and think that, that fellow is not important simply because he or she behaves differently from the way you do.
Take a look at the earthworms that we are often prone to consider as worthless, their burrowing digest organic matter into the soil paving way for efficient aeration and irrigation. If not for this tiny insect it would be the task of the farmer working day and night to undertake this task.
One thing that makes the world a rich place is Cultural Diversity. How well we use Diversity in Culture will determine to a large extent how useful culture can be for our communities and the Nation at large Diversity in Cultures would be useful if it does not lead to clash of cultures and civilizations.
The Universal declaration on Cultural Diversity was adopted unanimously by UNESCO during the wake of terrorist attacks on September 11 2001. The understanding was that when there is intercultural dialogue the tendency for one to look down on his or her brother's culture or religion will be mitigated. It is believed that this will in no less measure prevent segregation and fundamentalism.
The convention on Cultural Diversity essentially emphasizes the need to recognize the values and symbolic importance of Cultures. Today there are many who perceive culture only as those anachronistic, backward and archaic acts good only for the museum.
Prof Kwame Gyekye of the Philosophy department, University of Ghana Legon however describes our cultural values in a unique way and that is as those forms of behaviour, practices or thought that are nurtured, held, cherished and maintained by the users of the culture as most worthwhile , desirable, and having sufficient importance and relevance for our lives.
Indeed Culture is part of everyone's life. We enjoy culture in the form of literature, movies and the arts. Culture further encompasses our value systems, traditions beliefs among others.
Without doubt, some aspects of our culture are not useful today, but as a Nation we can learn from countries such as South Korea, China, and Japan India among others who have adopted what some African Philosophers are today advocating for and that is critical cultural renaissance.
We will benefit immensely if we learn to combine effectively neo liberal development values with relevant traditional culture. Cultural renaissance or what is known as 'sankofa' in Ghanaian parlance is likened to a mythical 'sankofa' bird that flies forward with its head turned backward reflecting the belief that the past serves as a guide for planning into the future.
Our Diverse Cultures if well harnessed can be a force for development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual emotional, moral and spiritual life.
Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. In Ghana, the Ministry Of Chieftaincy and Culture has set aside November every year as a National cultural awareness Month.
The purpose of this is to complement the efforts of the UNESCO in making our diverse cultures ingredient for the development of the Nation. Culture, religion and ethnic pluralism in practice cannot develop in an environment of ignorance. The time has come for everybody to consider the need to deepen the understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity and to learn to live together. v For us as Ghanaians If there is any time prudent enough to discuss the essence of Cultural Diversity as a tool for the promotion of Dialogue and Development, then it is now when we are preparing for our general elections election.
Our political affiliations should not in any way divide us as a Nation. It is mother Ghana that suffers by way of retarded development emanating from violent clash of people who hold different opinions.
People have emotional attachments to their cultures, religion, political persuasions among others such that any ill comments about such persuasions would be just like stepping on their toes. This is as sad as unfortunate especially when it can degenerate into malice and contempt.
We need to hold this virtue that regardless of the differences in our race, tribe, culture etc we are all the handiwork of the same God. We must constantly remind ourselves of the ties that connect us as individuals and societies Through pursuing cultural diversity each culture would not be limited in its own boundary Cultural Diversity should be an avenue for us to enjoy different cultures.
If we see cultural diversity from this perspective the numerous Chieftaincy, tribal and ethnic disputes can be left in the bud and Our peace as a Nation can be assured. The knowledge about our differences should be our wealth as a Nation.
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